160,000 Meals To Be Provided Through
Maine Credit Union League Contribution
In memory of Ending Hunger Pioneer JoAnn Pike
Westbrook, ME - On Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at the Maine Credit Union League, in a ceremony called "The Giving of the Green," Maine's credit unions, through the Maine Credit Unions' Campaign for Ending Hunger, made its largest, one-time donation ever to Good Shepherd Food-Bank in the amount of $20,000, which represents the 20 years that Maine's credit unions have raised funds for ending hunger.
The donation was given in memory of JoAnn Pike, the Founder of Good Shepherd Food-Bank and will benefit hunger organizations throughout Maine.
According to Rick Small, executive director of the Food Bank, who accepted the contribution, the $20,000 will provide more than 160,000 meals to Maine people "who otherwise would go hungry. Maine credit unions are not only one of the Food-Bank’s most significant funding sources but also a significant source of funds to help feed hundreds of thousands of Maine people. Credit unions embody the spirit of JoAnn and all that she stood for. She would be very pleased that credit unions remain leaders in the efforts to end hunger in Maine."
Pike began Good Shepherd Food-Bank nearly 30 years ago and served as its Executive Director until February of 2004. On March 17, 2004, Pike passed away of cancer. Two days after Pike passed away, Maine credit unions were the first to make a significant contribution in her memory. Every year since, Maine's credit unions have made a donation in her memory to mark the anniversary of her death and to remember the long-time hunger pioneer.
"Spring is a time of renewal and, as we near the arrival of spring, Maine's credit unions are again proud to renew our commitment and dedication to the cause of ending hunger. Maine families continue to struggle to have enough to eat and food pantries face an ongoing challenge of having enough food to help them. Since Good Shepherd works with nearly all of the food pantries in Maine, this contribution will make a difference across the entire state and we are pleased to enable them to do that," explained Jon Paradise, Governmental and Public Affairs Manager for the Maine Credit Union League.
Maine's Credit Unions recently announced that in 2009, the 20th year of the Campaign, a new record of $375,923.93 was raised. Since 1990, the Maine Credit Unions' Campaign for Ending Hunger has raised $3.5 million to help end hunger in Maine. Contributions to the Campaign are tax-deductible and may be made at most Maine credit unions or online at www.mainecul.org.
